Sarah Woodhouse Therapy

Bowen Therapy, Reflexology, Holistic Facials, Menopause and Lymphatics

Self Centre, Bury St Edmunds, and Picken House, Elmswell


EARTH MONTH: My Commitment to Holistic Environmental and Sustainable Practices

1st April 2025

This month is Earth Month, with Earth Day on April 22nd - a time to reflect and take action to protect our planet. Because this is where we live. This is the place that is directly linked with our own health and wellbeing, and as anthropologist Gregory Bateson said in his 1972 collected essays , "an organism that destroys its environment destroys itself." This is why I believe sustainability isn’t just about reducing waste or choosing eco-friendly products - it’s about embracing a more holistic approach to life and, in my case, to my business. I’ll be honest - sometimes it’s incredibly challenging (financially and mentally!), and sometimes I don’t get it right. But my commitment is real, and here’s how I’m doing my best:

I believe sustainability isn’t just about reducing waste or choosing eco-friendly products - it’s about embracing a more holistic approach to life and, in my case, to my business. I’ll be honest - sometimes it’s incredibly challenging (financially and mentally!), and sometimes I don’t get it right. But my commitment is real, and here’s how I’m doing my best:

Energy Efficiency

  • Our household energy comes from Octopus Energy, a 100% green supplier.
  • The treatment room is only heated when in use. During colder months, I use a heated blanket (where appropriate) to heat the person, not the room, allowing for a lower thermostat setting.

Responsible Business Travel

  • I’m actively working on reducing travel miles between my two locations by better appointment.
  • When I need to travel for training or business meetings, I will prioritise public transport where feasible.

Reducing Waste

  • I’m more committed than ever to reducing unnecessary consumption and waste.
  • I will only buy what I need, when I need it, and reuse or recycle wherever possible.

Sustainable Product Choices

  • I strive to purchase only eco-friendly and sustainable products, from companies with a genuine environmental commitment. This includes B-Corp Certification (with a strong score), zero waste closed-loop systems, and the avoidance of plastic / single use plastic.
  • I will be re-evaluating some of my current product choices as I am aware there have been some issues raised about potential greenwashing, and / or that they could, quite frankly, be doing better!

Printed Materials

  • My leaflets and business cards are produced in small runs to avoid excess waste. I currently use VistaPrint but will be reassessing my company choice the next time I need to preprint my leaflets and business cards.
  • I will only use paper that is recycled, carbon-balanced, or FSC/PEFC Certified as a minimum.
  • I will minimise at-home printing.

Treatment Essentials

  • Couch Roll: I use couch roll made from recycled beverage cartons.
  • Linens: I minimise linen use in my treatments and where they are used, I source from companies which focus on sustainable business practices and materials (see above). Any non-sustainable linens will be used for as long as possible and if then donated to animal charities.
  • Lotions & Potions: Aside from grapeseed oil I use Neal’s Yard Remedies products. I will ensure my next purchase of grapeseed oil adheres to my sustainable product choices commitment.

Cleaning & Laundry

  • I avoid the use of harmful chemicals in cleaning products whenever possible
  • I use Dew products (which use electrolysed water) for cleaning, and damp dust instead of using furniture polish.
  • I use Delphis toilet cleaner for the client bathroom.
  • For laundry, I currently use Smol non-biological tablets and avoid fabric conditioner. However, due to the chemical element of their product I will be trialling a laundry detergent from the Fill Refill Co.
  • I don’t own a tumble dryer. In winter, I use an air-dryer for efficiency and warmth, and in good weather, I dry linens outside.

Client Bathroom

  • I use Who Gives a Crap for toilet rolls and toilet tissue.
  • I currently use Method hand soap, but this will be changed to Fill Refill Company products in future.
  • Neals Yard Remedies Hand Sanitiser is available in the bathroom and treatment room.

Electronic Equipment

  • I used to replace electronic devices every 3-4 years, but now I commit to using them for as long as possible.
  • When they reach the end of their lifespan, they will be recycled responsibly.

Future Goals

I’m currently exploring membership with 1% for the Planet. If that’s not feasible, I plan to pledge 1% of my profits to environmental causes through them.

Help Me!

This journey isn’t about perfection- it’s about progress, and I’m always looking for ways to do better. If you have ideas or suggestions, I’d love to hear them. Email me at sarah@sarahwoodhousetherapy.co.uk.

 

Transparency Note: This applies in whole to my treatment room in Elmswell. At the Self Centre I use my own products for treatments, my own linens and provide my own printed materials. While I have no control over any other elements, I do know the staff are committed to being as sustainable as possible, given their operating constraints.